by SecretAgentMan on April 23rd, 2017, 6:45 pm
"It is easier to fool someone than to convince them they have been fooled." ~ Mark Twain
I bring this quote up because we all adopt limiting beliefs about ourselves. What do I mean? Take the example of the 'unsolvable math problem'. It is a true story from UC Berkley in 1939. A graduate student in a statistics class arrived late one day and saw two problems up on the board. He jotted them down and mistook them for homework. He turned his work in when he was completed solving them and apologized to his professor for taking so long as he found the problems more difficult than normal. His professor excitedly contacted the student a few days later when he finally got a chance to review the student's work. What the student did not realize was that the two problems up on the board were not homework problems, but examples of unsolvable proofs.
The student did not have any limiting beliefs about himself nor was he intimidated by the problems because he went in believing that they were normal homework problems. How many of us would find creative and innovative ways to overcome the curve balls life throws at us if we didn't have any limiting beliefs about how hard it would be or if it were even possible? Think about that the next time you hear that little doubting, nagging voice from within that says, "What's the use?" Many limiting beliefs we adopt are great examples of us being fooled. Now resolve to do the hard work. Realize you have been fooled and unlearn what you have learned. Look at your problems and the world itself with fresh eyes, as though for the very first time. What is possible? Anything!

Unsolvable math problem source:
http://www.snopes.com/college/homework/unsolvable.asp
If your mind is your own worst enemy, why not make friends with it and turn it into your greatest ally? Mental discipline is achievable and there is help available. Learn what works for you, practice, and change your life for the better.